These are your rugby morning headlines on Monday, January 31.
Hooky disagrees with Shane over Adams
James Hook has taken a different stance to Shane Williams over where Josh Adams should feature for Wales during the Six Nations.
Williams cautioned Wayne Pivac over switching Adams to centre from wing, saying the coach should put round pegs in round holes.
"He is a world class wing and he needs to stay where he is most comfortable and an make the most impact," wrote Williams in a newspaper column.
"You need your best players in their best positions at this level and that means Josh and Rees-Zammit play on the flanks. They will frighten any team if you can get the ball to them."
But Hook believes Adams in midfield could be worth a shot.
"Centre is one position which is unsettled," he said. "I watched Josh Adams against Toulouse at 13 and I thought he went well.
"I think somewhere down the line he's going to get a shot at 13, whether it's against Ireland I'm not too sure.
"I think Willis Halaholo has to be there because his footwork is immense and he brings some spark to the backline, while is also a good defender.
"I think Owen Watkin is a very underrated player - he's never let Wales down."
Welsh team's coach leaves immediately
Bridgend Ravens have parted company with coach Steve Jones just a couple of games into the season.
The side have lost their opening two league matches of this season under the former Wales international, including a 26-14 defeat to Llanelli on the weekend.
A statement read: "Bridgend Ravens can announce that Head Coach Steve Jones has left the club by mutual consent.
"All at the club would like to thank Steve for his efforts with the club, particularly during the Covid pandemic and the challenges that were presented. We all wish him well for his future endeavours."
Wales' young stars told to prove point to Welsh Lions
Ireland legend Keith Wood has challenged Wales' new batch of youngsters to prove a point and grab their chances in the absence of their experienced Lions.
The likes of Alun Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, George North, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau are all set to miss most or all of this year's tournament, and Wood has backed Wales' new kids on the block to give them plenty to think about.
The likes of Louis Rees-Zammit and Taine Basham
"Most of the Welsh Lions are missing from this match are guys who will be stopping soon," he told The Rugby Paper.
"Some of them have graced the world stage like their compatriots from the 1970s and that is saying something.
"Any sort of 'woe-is-me' attitude over their absence has to go. Instead, the emphasis will be on what an unbelievable opportunity this is for those who have taken their places.
"They now have the chance to make sure that all the injured Welsh Lions will have to fight tooth and nail to get back into the side.
"I would expect Wales to do so many things well on Saturday.
"It doesn't matter a damn to the national side that the other Welsh teams are not doing well.
"They are have a capacity to upset opponents all the time which is one reason why they've won twice as many Grand Slams in the Six Nations than anyone else."
Rogers incident puts Six Nations refs under pressure
The horrendous collision involving Scarlets wing Tom Rogers and Ulster player Craig Gilroy is expected to lump pressure on Six Nations referees this year.
Daily Mail writer Chris Foy is expecting a 'hard line' to be handed down to refs after Gilroy's shocking shoulder to the head of the Welshman was on punished with a yellow card.
It caused outrage among fans and pundits alike and referee Jaco Peyper, who made the decision, is also taking charge of Wales v Ireland this weekend.
"The South African sparked Welsh outrage when home wing Craig Gilroy was let off with a yellow card after slamming his shoulder into the head of Tom Rogers, who went off for a head injury assessment and didn't return," wrote Foy.
"The 'horrific collision' was not a good look for the sport, so it is inevitable that officials will receive fresh orders to take a hard line. Rugby's authorities are notoriously reactive, so they will be jolted by ugly footage and uproar among public and pundits.
Foy also voiced his hope that this year's Six Nations would not see a spate of red cards, with the headline on his article suggesting last year's championship was ruined by them.
He points out that last year's championship saw five red cards, more than in the first 20 years of the tournament, but admits he's not hopeful things will change this year.
"Everyone will hope that all the games ahead start and finish as 15 v 15 — but that is a faint hope," he wrote.
"Perhaps Steve Hansen had a point in 2018 when he said: 'How do we regulate for the dirty play; the intentional stuff no one wants in the game, versus the grey stuff? Common sense has to prevail.' At the moment, it is not prevailing."
England preparation hit by blows
England preparations for their tournament opener have been hit once again by Joe Marchant's positive Covid test and Tommy Freeman's hamstring injury.
Harlequins' Louis Lynagh and Newcastle's Adam Radwan have been called into the squad as cover for the pair.
England face Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Marchant tested positive on January 28, putting his involvement in Edinburgh in doubt. He will return to the squad when his isolation period is over.
Coach Eddie Jones is already without injured skipper Owen Farrell for the whole tournament, while Joe Marler is another to have had Covid.
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